Observation: Hoyt's Peak

Observation Date
2/14/2021
Observer Name
Michael Janulaitis
Region
Uintas » Hoyt's Peak
Location Name or Route
Hoyt Peak
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Light
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Comments
I got out today to find 4 inches of light on top of 6 inches of medium. Early in the morning the skiing and riding was the best of the season IMHO. The snow is setting up and starting to form a supportive slab on top of the various basal facet layers. As the last storm passed it produced a strong north flow resulting strong north winds. North slopes have unusual upslope wind loading and cornices have formed on the typically windward side of the mountains producing very unusual surface snowpack. We have an unusual snowpack and now unusual wind loading which could lead to unusual avalanches so for me anything on the north half of the compass above 28 degrees is off limits.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High